Showing posts with label Point6 Socks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Point6 Socks. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Still in Carmacks: Day 17 of the Yukon River Trip


Drying out The Sundowner on the Yukon River in Carmacks

Technically, we're still on the Yukon River, though we are tied to a tree at a public boat launch in Carmacks.  The .7 miles it takes to walk to town is a welcome to our legs that have seemed unused since we left our home in Indiana almost four weeks ago.  We take turns going into town for supplies or to explore while the other stays with the boat.  We were told not to leave our boat unattended (not that we would have anyway).  The locals are welcoming; it is nice to be around people again.
 

The rain has been on & off with brief visits from the warming sun.  So, it's been a constant battle to dry out our boat and gear.  When we think the soaking rain is almost at an end, it returns to drench us again.  We've been told that it's unseasonable wet this year in Carmacks…what, with 12 straight days of rain--ugh.  We were blessed not to encounter much rain while we were traveling the last 202 miles of the Yukon River (besides the last 65 miles), and I am grateful for that. 

I'm not sure if word has gotten around or if people are just happy the rain has let up, but we are most certainly peaking the interest of the citizens of Carmacks and the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation people, who reside across the river from us.  You would think a band of traveling players had arrived in town by the way they slowly drive around the circle drive…sometimes more than once.  Others put their vehicles in park and just stare at us.  And still others get out and talk with us about our journey down the Yukon River.  The village of Carmacks is used to seeing all sorts of paddlers, but I dare to say there's probably not been a pair quite like us with our camouflaged cabin donning the Nurpu skull and crossbones.  Actually, our visitors are providing us with our own sort of entertainment.  We've never seen so much rubber-necking in one spot.  We just hope that it's only curiosity that brings on the long stares.

Tonight is our last night on the Yukon River.  I am thankful we've been able to spend a few days on the river here in Carmacks once we finished paddling.  Carmacks is so quaint and friendly, and I know it will be hard tomorrow to say goodbye not only to the Yukon River but also to the sweet village of Carmacks.  

How will we spend our last night on the Yukon River?  Besides warming our feet by the fire, I'm guessing we've got gold panning & fishing on this evening's agenda.  


Point6 Spoiled Us with the Best Socks on the Planet






Sunday, July 10, 2011

Horrible Wind on the Thirty Mile River: Day 7 of the Yukon River Trip

The frequent bluffs coupled with the strong winds create frightening situations for my slowly building (and sometimes falling) confidence.  I hate to admit it, but I bailed today.  When I say bailed, I mean the wind was pushing our boat sideways into a bluff, and I couldn't gain control.  I freaked.  I jumped forward and yelled for Jake to take over.  He had to scurry out from the cabin and take the oars.  Now, I did try to cope with the situation before bailing, but my arms--my arms were so worn out.  I had neither the strength nor the self-confidence to handle the obstacle.  Thank God for Jake; even with the wind and my mess, he got us straightened out and back on track.


Jake Fishing with High Bluffs in the Background on the Yukon River


After that, I don't know what it was, but it was so hard for me to pull it together.  This trip has been so hard, so exhausting, and so emotional.  I can't put my finger on what it is….my only guess is the fear factor.  It's all so big out here, and no one is around.  We've only seen 3-4 boats in the last 6 days.  The wind just grabs our boat.  If we wreck, we're in trouble--maybe life-threatening trouble.  And if we survived any trouble, it'd be quite a while before anyone would happen upon us to offer help.  And even then, it could be a kayaker that could take days to get to any sort of civilization to send help our way (maybe there's a reason Jake calls me Worst-Case-Scenario Girl?  haha).

I soaked through both of my boots today getting off of the boat--two different times, of course.  My lack of balance on the wobbly rock pile landing that we made was the cause of it.  Thank goodness Jake's backup pair of boots will work for the night to help keep my feet warm, but my favorite Point6 socks will have to dry overnight.  :(    (They have become the equivalent to a child's blanket to me.  They offer comfort and warmth, which help provide me with a weird sense of security.)


Our Favorite Point6 Socks from the Yukon River Trip